SUNDAY MERCURY WROTELeaders Alvechurch's home game with Long Eaton United was postponed but title rivals Lye Town and Coleshill Town failed to take advantage, falling to surprise defeats. It was 2-1 at Shawbury United where coleshill were put to the sword. Dean Rathbone had given the visitors a tenth minute lead but second half efforts from Tom Taylor and Liam Armstrong ensured the points stayed in Shropshire.

ADAM Wilkes is hoping that Coleshill Town's first defeat in 14 games can actually work in their favour as they host South Shields on Saturday.The Colemen suffered a shock 2-1 at Shawbury United in the Midland League Premier as their run of 13 straight victories came to an abrupt halt.Assistant Wilkes admitted the squad had simply not been at the races and says it needs to act as a warning sign for this weekend's FA Vase semi-final. "It was poor at Shawbury," he said. "You have to give them credit. They were lively and they wanted it more than us – that is what it came down to. We let ourselves down a bit and it was disappointing for our league situation. However, heading into the Vase game it might serve us well. Hopefully it will focus us for the task in hand now. This is where we need to show our character, individually and as a collective. Can we bounce back from the Shawbury game. We need that defeat to galvanise the lads and we will be doing plenty of preparation both on and off the pitch this week to get ready for the challenge."

Coleshill head into the two-legged semi-final as underdogs but Wilkes says the squad should not be fazed.